Eddy Retires from Chemistry Department

After twenty-five years of teaching, research, and service in the Department of Chemistry, Dr. Roberta “Bobbie” Eddy retired in June 2011.

Dr. Eddy received a Bachelor of Science in Biology Education from IUP in 1965, a Master of Science in Chemistry from IUP in 1991, and a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1996.

She served as a part-time or temporary full-time instructor in the department from 1987 to 1996, then became an assistant professor in 1996. Dr. Eddy was promoted to associate professor in 2000.

During her tenure at IUP, she taught numerous courses in chemistry, chemistry education, and advanced levels of teacher education and weapons of mass destruction. She was the recipient of many awards, including the Sponsored Programs Award for Outstanding Achievement in Curriculum and Instruction, the Faculty Recognition of Superior Effort (ROSE) award, the Graduate Dean’s Award for Outstanding Commitment to Sponsored Programs, and a Certificate of Commendation from the Department of the Army and Air Force National Guard Bureau for Meritorious Service.

Dr. Eddy was the lead developer for the establishment of both the B.S. and M.S. degrees for the Science of Disaster Response at IUP, the director of the National Guard Bureau’s WMD-REALITI project, and lead author on many scientific peer-review journal articles and conference presentations. As director and principal investigator of several grants, Dr. Eddy was responsible for bringing in over $3.3 million towards funded research.

In addition to her teaching and scholarly endeavors, Dr. Eddy served as a student teacher supervisor for chemical education students, as a member of the Pennsylvania Academy for Teacher Preparation Committee, and as a member and chair of the department’s curriculum committee. She is/was a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Chemical Education Division of the ACS, the Chemical Corp Regimental Association, and the National Teachers Association.